In the heart of holiday baking, when the air is tinged with anticipation and the joy of sharing delicious treats, there’s something truly magical about the simplicity of Pecan Sandies. They’re the embodiment of warmth, nostalgia, and the delightful crunch of finely chopped pecans, and the perfect way to continue our cookie adventures.

This recipe brings together a few humble ingredients – softened butter, granulated sugar, aromatic vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and those star players, the finely chopped pecans. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, resulting in a crumbly, buttery dough that’s a delight to work with.

Crafting these cookies feels like molding dough into tiny edible sculptures. Shaping them into small rounds, or using a cookie scoop for uniformity – it’s an artistic endeavour where each dough ball holds the promise of a delicious bite.

An optional touch of extra granulated sugar coating adds a delightful crunch to the cookies, elevating them from delicious to utterly irresistible. Imagine biting into a cookie, the slight crunch giving way to the buttery goodness within – sheer cookie heaven!

As these golden-brown beauties emerge from the oven, the edges lightly kissed by golden hues, there’s a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. They cool on the baking sheets, creating a mouthwatering anticipation for the first bite.

Share these delectable treats with loved ones or enjoy them as a moment of solace amidst the holiday rush.

Pecan Sandies:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120g) finely chopped pecans
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Additional granulated sugar for coating (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add the flour, chopped pecans, and salt to the mixture, stirring until a crumbly dough forms. Use your hands to bring the dough together if needed.
5. Shape the dough into small balls or use a cookie scoop to portion the dough.
6. Optional: Roll each ball of dough in additional granulated sugar for a slightly sweet and crunchy coating.
7. Place the shaped dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each for spreading.
8. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your fingertips to create a cookie shape.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.